Service Contracts

Seattle Colleges has frozen non-essential service contracts funded by the operating budget to meet a 5% budget reduction for FY27. Exceptions apply to revenue-backed programs, mandatory compliance/safety needs, or critical core functions approved by leadership.

Exemptions and Exceptions

The non-essential services contracts freeze does not include contracts, contract amendments or other agreements related to:

• Funded exclusively by self-support or revenue-backed programs that are operating at a profit including but not limited to private or federal grants (often found in 145), auxiliary services (570), student activity fees (522), lab fees (148) or state board approved capital projects.
• Necessary for compliance or legislative mandate.
• Explicitly required by the collective bargaining agreement.
• Necessary to protect life or public safety.
• Necessary to protect data privacy and cyber security.
• Necessary to carry out the core functions of a program or unit, with president or chancellor approval.

Exception Process

Follow the steps below to request an exception to the service contract freeze (see flowchart).

1. Submitter completes budget check with budget director prior to submission
2. Exception Request submitted in MS Forms
3. CEO's EA brings form before their respective cabinet.
4. Endorsed by CEO?
   1. No: EA informs submitter of decision and rationale.
   2. Yes: 
      1. EA updates excel sheet in MS Forms to reflect approval.
      2. EA inform requestor of approval.
      3. Submitter completes ctcLink process.
      4. Submitter includes approval email from EA as supporting documentation in ctcLink.

Executive Authority

The chancellor and presidents retain final authority over service contract decisions for their respective budgets. Due to a 5% budget reduction, any exception request must first be verified with budget staff to confirm that adequate funds remain available before approval.